Mr Legs Posted March 13, 2014 Share Why is it easier for me to execute a tight left turn on a single track? I find it much more difficult to go right. I thought it was because I am right handed and my right leg (outside leg on the turn) is dominant and therefore I have more control, but today I spoke to a left handed cycling buddy and he has the same problem. I surf left foot forward and uncleat left first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR ◣◢ Posted March 13, 2014 Share Next time try twisting your hips to the right and look through the corner instead of ahead of your wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cellar Posted March 13, 2014 Share I surf left foot forward and uncleat left first. Next time keep the surf board at home and try riding the singletrack on an mtb? Edited March 13, 2014 by Cellar Jigghead, Joe Low, Martin Glazer and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted March 13, 2014 Share Dude, I still have thois problem although I have worked super hard on the issue and have become less silly on tight right hand turns. It is a common thing having discussed it with many people over many years. Practice and confidence. Like so much to do with tackling things in a MTB, confidence is key..... Do a corner you don't get right until you get it right. Try different things until it becomes natural then execute on other right turns until you no longer have to think about it. Sometimes your brain will have a retard moment and give you a fright, but it becomes more and more seldom the more work you put in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Legs Posted March 13, 2014 Share Next time keep the surf board at home and try riding the singletrack on an mtb? Well Cellar, with all the rain you had in Gauteng, a surfboard might be a better option on your trails this weekend. Thanks Maxxis, I will try the twisting hips. I am under the impression that I do look ahead on the trail, but maybe I tense up in a right hander and drop my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capricorn Posted March 13, 2014 Share Why is it easier for me to execute a tight left turn on a single track? I find it much more difficult to go right. I thought it was because I am right handed and my right leg (outside leg on the turn) is dominant and therefore I have more control, but today I spoke to a left handed cycling buddy and he has the same problem. I surf left foot forward and uncleat left first. practice changing your pedal position for cornering: outside pedal down, inside pedal up. So turning to the left, you will have your left pedal up and your right pedal down. Be sure to be having most of your weight on the outside pedal. If you do this correctly, the bike should lean toward the inside. I'll bet that your pedal swopping is not as efficient turning to the right as turning to the left. Edited March 13, 2014 by Capricorn DIPSLICK and dre 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witkop Posted March 13, 2014 Share Chain on the right side? Fear of losing the drive chain? Try going into the turn with your pedals at 3-9 o'clock position. (Roadies use the 12-6 oclock position as there are no rocks, roots and branches that jump up at you on the road) As you go through the turn lean the bike into the turn (stay upright) and gently load the outside pedal (it will drop towards the 6 oclock position. If you are standing on the pedals, this will result in your hips adjust your body weight keeping your torso straight. Failing that go by Brian Lopez's book on MTB Skills. It has more graphics than a loslyf and hustler put together and you will see what to do. Then practice, practice and practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipV Posted March 13, 2014 Share what foot is in front when freewheeling? my left foot leads, and turning right is more natural. alle grappies op 'n stokkie, I cant turn left when dancing. I am not an ambiturner. Lone_Ranger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR ◣◢ Posted March 13, 2014 Share Well Cellar, with all the rain you had in Gauteng, a surfboard might be a better option on your trails this weekend. Thanks Maxxis, I will try the twisting hips. I am under the impression that I do look ahead on the trail, but maybe I tense up in a right hander and drop my head. The twist of the hips help to set your body up for the corner. Makes a huge difference. I naturally corner better to the left due to being right handed. It just feels more natural. The tips about leaning the bike and dropping the outside pedal helps to improve grip. Also try and get your weight as neutral on the bike as possible. Out of the saddle, arms and legs relaxed. Let the bike move around while you stay as still as neutral as possible helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cellar Posted March 13, 2014 Share Why is it easier for me to execute a tight left turn on a single track? I find it much more difficult to go right. I thought it was because I am right handed and my right leg (outside leg on the turn) is dominant and therefore I have more control, but today I spoke to a left handed cycling buddy and he has the same problem. I surf left foot forward and uncleat left first. My initial thought would be that you are over-thinking it, and you are tensing up as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr X Posted March 13, 2014 Share what foot is in front when freewheeling?my left foot leads, and turning right is more natural. alle grappies op 'n stokkie, I cant turn left when dancing. I am not an ambiturner. Yes this is the reason why. Position of feet. Right foot forward is a small forward/downward movement for a left turn. Wanna improve your skills? sometimes ride over rocks and stuff with your unnatural foot forward, it is very handy to be comfortable riding over obstacles with any foot forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarHugger Posted March 13, 2014 Share Sorry Hubsters.....this is due to the Coriolis effect......while also considering Newton's Third Law of Motion as it is applied to centripetal and centrifugal forces on unbanked surfaces (no camber). The opposite will occur in the Northern Hemisphere. At the Equator it is a different story. Edited March 13, 2014 by BarHugger kennyg, DR ◣◢, Josh0 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR ◣◢ Posted March 13, 2014 Share Sorry Hubsters.....this is due to the Coriolis effect......while also considering Newton's Third Law of Motion as it is applied to centripetal and centrifugal forces on unbanked surfaces (no camber). The opposite will occur in the Northern Hemisphere. At the Equator it is a different story. Can only go straight at the equator? DeityRaid and Little Fish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caerus Posted March 14, 2014 Share Why is it easier for me to execute a tight left turn on a single track? I find it much more difficult to go right. I thought it was because I am right handed and my right leg (outside leg on the turn) is dominant and therefore I have more control, but today I spoke to a left handed cycling buddy and he has the same problem. I surf left foot forward and uncleat left first. Does this occur in switchbacks or whenever doing a tight left turn? I also find dropping my elbow and shoulder slightly into a tight corner as well as looking through the turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOSMEICHERIE Posted March 14, 2014 Share i am having the same problem...when i do my left turns i always have to hit the brakes but my right are super fast. thanks for the advises ill practise a lot to do fast left turns ... ill get right today . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipV Posted March 14, 2014 Share like Mr X said guys, swap your feet around, get used to riding goofy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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